The Grammar Doctor

Subject-Verb Agreement

Subject-verb agreement just means that if the subject is singular, the verb must also be singular. If the subject is plural, the verb also has to be plural. People know this intuitively, but some things can create a distraction so that a writer loses track of the subject and fails to get an appropriate verb.

• Elements between subject and verb
  If something such as a phrase or clause comes between the subject and the verb, a writer or speaker may unconsciously make the verb agree with the noun in the phrase or clause rather than with the subject of the sentence.

  The plan to achieve all his dreams were destroyed by his rash actions.
  (The verb should agree with "plan," not "dreams."
  The plan to achieve all his dreams was destroyed by his rash actions.

• Sentences that start with "there"
  "There" at the beginning of a sentence stands in for the subject and places the verb before the actual subject has been stated. It is easy with this type of sentence to choose a verb that does not agree with the subject.

  There's many problems with this job.
  (The verb ('s) is singular, but the subject (problems) is plural.
  There are many problems with this job.

• Compound subject
  Two singular nouns added together become plural.

  The principal and the secretary is looking for the lost file.
  (The verb should be plural)
  The principal and the secretary are looking for the lost file.

• Foreign plurals
  The English language has adopted many words from other languages. When we use one of these words, we need to know whether it is singular or plural.

  The media is going to have a good time with this.
  ("Media" is plural. The singular form is "medium.")
  The media are going to have a good time with this.

Pronouns also create possible problems with agreement.
Click here for more information about pronoun agreement.

Click here for a quiz on subject-verb agreement.